PlantTherapy: Seeds of Spring

This week's slideshow is a warm reminder of what's ahead. The photos are from a walk I took late last summer. As I write there are some New Yorkers out there already hard at work, like the Mardi Gras float artists before a parade, preparing to treat our eyes to some beautiful greenery.

If you want to be one of those kind people, and you want to save money, starting your plants from seeds is the most economical way to go. It also provides you with an opportunity to choose from a much wider variety of plants than what will be available at the local flower shop come spring.

Home Depot and Smith & Hawken are the first places you will find racks of seeds. You can also buy them online at places like Burpee which also has a wonderful seed starting how-to on their website. No need for me to rewrite what they have done beautifully, please take a look.

Although they also sell every aid to start your seeds, I have found that your average cardboard egg carton is fantastic, with saran wrap to trap in moisture. The other advantage is that you can separate the individual sections with scissors and then plant them whole into the ground – the egg carton material biodegrades. I love having a dozen seedlings on my windowsill, and they make a cute gift for a friend.

If you are looking for potential seed choices and not sure where to start, you may want to follow this link, which also has growing tips.

I also recommend Select Seeds (but not as cheap as Burpee), which is out of Connecticut. They also have great how-to pages.

Current/Upcoming Shows:

NYBG orchid show is still going on. Look for my pictures next week! If you miss this, you can always look forward to the New York Int. Orchid Show in April.

Making Brooklyn Bloom 2006: Keeping It Fresh! City Gardeners Grow FoodSaturday, March 11 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.Also featured in The Kitchen – learn to grow what you can eat!